Role: Lt. Cdr. Ian FlemingToday, many remember Ian Fleming (1908-1964) as the author of the James Bond book series, but less-commonly known are the details of his involvement in World War II. Fleming began as an intelligence liaison under the aegis of Rear Admiral John Godfrey, and then in 1942 formed a crack team of intelligence-based commandos, known as the 30 Assault Unit; its job involved operating near the front lines of battle to seize top-secret documents from enemy headquarters that had been targeted in advance.

James about his character:Fleming lived an unreal life. It’s strange, really, that the story of his life isn’t better known.

Plot:Set during World War II, the film is based on the real-life activities of Ian Fleming, creator of James Bond, and his 30 Commando Unit, set up in 1942, which led to the formation of the SAS. When Corporal Rains hits the captain of a military police squad in order to follow his own instincts in leading his men home to England, he is arrested and sent to a military prison. However, Major Jones, who sees his potential, recruits him for his commando unit and a very special mission. Ian Fleming oversees the activities of this group. The men receive harsh training for their first mission, which is to parachute secretly into occupied Norway to get hold of vital new radar technology from the Germans. Their little group is joined by local insurgent Steiner and a lovely female spy, Jensen. When they witness villagers in a little Norwegian town trying to resist the Nazis, they stay and help the locals in their battle. One of their number is a traitor and the group have to contend with that problem as well as attempt to fulfill the task they have been set, all in the harsh mountains of Norway.

Trailer

Trivia & Facts:- Budget: $15 million- The film was the first in a planned trilogy of war films (Age of Honour, Age of Glory)- Altor Security used Force Select to form an element of the Nazi Alpine Troop chasing the commando force across Norway.- British paratroopers were flown over Rogaland to carry out sabotage actions in the Norwegian mountains. An area of Jæren, south of Stavanger, imagined the highlands of Scotland. - Villagers in St Margaret’s in Dover were recruited to play Special Forces operatives and were kitted out in full period costumes shooting scenes at nearby Connaught Barracks in Dover.

Quotes:Rosie Felner: Yes, it was a lot of fun working with James D’Arcy. He does this funny thing where he would mess around just before they shout “Action”, making us all laugh and he would just go straight into character. The making of it was hilarious.

Adrian Vitoria (on casting of Fleming): James is an actor who has played a number of different roles in the past, and when you meet him he is a charming and intelligent fellow much like Ian Fleming was. When I looked at James on camera he came across with that authority without seeming arrogant, he was perfect for the part.I think everything that I have read of Ian Fleming; educated, smart, a charmer, these things with James are very similar. He is a very smart young man as well as a dashing young man and a very good actor - and with his acting he has a charm so he fit’s the part very nicely

I felt that the two stars who stole the limelight with their very authentic acting and perfect concept of the film genre were Will Houston who played the fantastic Scottish Sergeant and James D’Arcy who played a convincingly dashing and affable Ian Fleming. These two bring together the cast and the former occaissionally adds humour to the storyline --- Cinemaroll Phoenix 91 June 26 2011